SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor Gavin Newsom says he will delay his swearing-in as California lieutenant governor if San Francisco supervisors don’t schedule a special meeting to appoint a successor he approves.

The current board’s last scheduled meeting is Jan. 4 and Newsom is supposed to be sworn in as lieutenant governor on Jan. 3.

Newsom told the San Francisco Chronicle on Wednesday that he plans to delay the swearing-in until Jan. 8 if the board doesn’t meet in special session and appoint a successor.

Staying on as mayor until Jan. 8 would allow the incoming Board of Supervisors and its four new members to appoint his successor.

The Chronicle says some view the incoming board as slightly more moderate than the current one, where Newsom’s political adversaries, progressives from the left flank, hold a majority.